Microsoft Touts Millard IT Case Study

Implementing a Microsoft-based technology infrastructure has raised efficiency and lowered costs for list firm Millard Group Inc., Peterborough, NH, according to a case study released today by Microsoft Corp.

About four years ago, Millard brought in chief information officer Larry Key to look at the technology the firm used in daily operations and to upgrade its systems, according to the case study. Rich Dieter was brought in as network manager.

At that time, most of the computers at Millard used Microsoft Windows 3.1 and Office 3.4 and the e-mail system was NoteWorks. Only 35 of 170 computers had Internet access. Other systems were in place for order entry and report generation.

The first thing done in 1998 was an upgrade to Windows 95 and a switch to the Microsoft Exchange 5.5 e-mail system on all desktops. In 2002, all machines were upgraded again to Windows 2000. This year, all desktops got Office XP Professional.

Next, Millard implemented Microsoft solutions SQL Server and Visual Basic for its database system and Web server. It also adopted a Microsoft reporting system called Crystal Reports.

Millard has gained many benefits from the upgrades, according to the study. They include a $22,000 annual savings on its Web site; elimination of third-party IT labor; a 40 percent drop in telecommunications costs due to e-mail and Web access to information and increased productivity.

"Millard Group's updated infrastructure enables us to provide a wealth of new services for clients, improves company-wide collaboration and productivity, streamlines staff and provides an ongoing catalyst for growth and change," Millard president Ben Perez said in a statement. "We feel that we are well-positioned to react to any requests or changes, internal or external."

The Microsoft case study on Millard can be viewed in its entirety at http://www.microsoft.com/resources/casestudies/CaseStudy.asp?CaseStudyID=14118.